Tim Wellens is set to lead Lotto Soudal at the Vuelta a Andalucia Ruta del Sol. The Belgian rider comes back to the race to defend the title he took in 2018.

Wellens has already taken his first victory in the 2019 season at the Challenge Mallorca, at the Trofeo de Tramuntana. Despite recently suffering from health issued, he is ready to lead the team at the 2.HC race.

"I am fully recovered from the viral infection but the illness has taken a bit longer than expected," he commented. "I could resume training after one week of complete rest. I will start the Ruta del Sol in good shape but I will certainly feel that week without training.

"As I could not follow my planned training scheme for a week, the Ruta del Sol is – in contrast to last year – less of a goal in itself. Of course, I will go for the best possible result, but the kilometres in competition towards the Omloop Het Nieuwsblad are also a nice bonus. If the stage schedule allows it, I will do some post-race kilometres. I will target a nice place on GC but that goes hand in hand with good stage results."

Wellens will face right in the first stage, the place in which he enjoyed success last year. "The first stage will immediately be important for the general classification," the Belgian explained. "It finishes in Alcalá de los Gazules, where I won last year, so that will certainly bring up some nice memories.

"The individual time trial will be crucial as well. I am looking forward to my first race against the clock as I have been working on my time trial skills. I hope those efforts will pay off. The penultimate stage includes a considerably long climb but – contrary to the pure climbers – the finish after a long descent is in my favour."

Lotto Soudal's roster for the Vuelta a Andalucia Ruta del Sol (20th to 24th of February):